MMV #022: How to Transfer Drills to the Game

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Read time: 3 minutes

We've all seen the pitchers who look great in their drill work.

Then they get on the mound looking nothing like they did in their drills.

What happened?

What changed?

Remember this:

The purpose of your drills isn't just to be good at the drills.

They should impact your delivery on the mound where it matters most.

Many players are plyo wall heroes.

Their movements look awesome throwing to a wall 10 feet away, but awful when they step on the mound.

Today we want to show you how to transfer drills to the game in 4 steps.

Let’s use the step back drill as an example.

The purpose of this drill is to improve the loading depth and tension created in the back leg.

Step 1: Perform drill on flat ground to wall

When learning a new drill you want to start with the basics.

Show that you can perform it on flat ground and throw the plyo to a wall right in front of you.

This should allow for the focus to be purely on executing the movement and not the location of the throw.

Step 2: Perform drill on mound to wall

In this phase you will work to master the drill on the slope.

We are still throwing the ball to the wall to keep the focus on executing the movement.

Most players stop at this step.

But there is more to do before we can expect it to stick.

Step 3: Perform drill to a catcher

Now that you have proven you can execute the movement without a target, now it’s time to see if you can maintain the loading pattern with a catcher at 55-60 feet.

This is where you will see players revert back to old habits.

The focus should still be on executing the loading pattern and not the execution of the pitch.

It's important to remind the pitcher of this.

Step 4: Blend drill with regular delivery

We obviously don’t perform the drill in a game so we need to be able to translate it to our regular delivery.

To start your bullpen, perform 2 step backs followed by 2 regular throws.

This blending should help translate the feeling of the step back to the regular throw.

Remember:

Don’t do drills just to get good at the drill. It has to transfer to the game.

RECAP

Step 1 - Perform drill on FG to wall

Step 2 - Perform drill on mound to wall

Step 3 - Perform drill on mound to catcher

Step 4 - Blend drill with regular delivery

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